expert reviews about

2013 John Duval Eligo Shiraz

Expert Reviews

Wine Companion (2013 Vintage) says

Represents the best wine of the vintage, sourced from the Barossa and Eden Valleys, matured for 20 months in French hogsheads (75% new). The aim is a structured (achieved in spades) and elegant (give it 10 years) expression of Barossa shiraz. My query on elegance is due to the obvious French oak: it simply needs a Grange-like decade to come into integrated balance.

97

Wine Advocate (2014 Vintage) says

Deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2014 Eligo has pronounced black plum and blackberry preserves aromas over nuances of charcoal, grilled meat, earth, peppercorns and aniseed. Rich, ripe, concentrated and with firm, finely grained tannins on the palate, it has a taut backbone and great length.

2017 - 2030

Lisa Perrotti-Brown

93

James Halliday (2010 Vintage) says

Essency black fruits, savoury roasted meat aromas and fragrant wood spices are all evident on the bouquet; the palate is full-bodied and muscular with prodigious tannins lying in wait beneath the succulent black fruits on offer.

This is the very essence of old-vine Barossa shiraz, made with generosity and warmth as a core value; masses of sweet black fruits, bitter chocolate, graphite tannins and toasty oak combine to deliver a silky mouthful of tannins and plenty of warmth of alcohol; concentration kept in check, and exceptionally long.

Australian Wine Companion 2013 2012

95

Jeremy Oliver (2009 Vintage) says

This monumentally oaked Barossa middleweight has a deeply ripened and faintly raisined bouquet with deep, smoky aromas of berries and cherries, smoked oyster, mocha and dark chocolate. Full to medium weight, its sumptuous, unctuous palate marries ultra-polished smooth and charry oak with rich, ripe dark fruits, finishing long and brambly with suggestions of currants and minerals.

The Australian Wine Annual 2013 2012

92

Rob Geddes MW (2009 Vintage) says

Densely coloured and structured with great potential on release. The aromas fresh and poised layered and alive with floral blackberry and a savoury tapenade edge. Oak support is there as distant well judged whisper. The fresh ripe palate is beautifully articulated and balanced with the balance and regional tannins showing potential to age long and well.

Rob Geddes MW

94

James Halliday (2008 Vintage) says

Vivid purple hue; deep, dark and concentrated black fruit, tar, toasty oak and roasted meat all combine on the bouquet; the palate is dark and dense, with the powerful swathe of black fruit combining seamlessly with abundant new oak; chewy and fresh on the finish, the wine is still unevolved but balanced.

Australian Wine Companion 2012 2011

95

Nick Stock (2008 Vintage) says

John Duval's flag is flying handsomely with this '08 Eligo, a blend of three vineyards with one component representing the Eden Valley for moderation. It's a creamy-smelling array of ripe plums, blackberries and red fruits; some tarry accents, vanilla, chocolate and liquorice. The palate's smoothly crafted along sturdy tannin lines, and packed with a heart of juicy middle-palate flesh and a dense, spiced-chocolate finish, with the fruit welling upwards and arcing long.

The Good Wine Guide 2012

95

Rob Geddes MW (2008 Vintage) says

Densely coloured and structured with great potential on release. The aromas fresh and poised layered and alive with floral blackberry and a savoury tapenade edge. Oak support is there as distant well judged whisper. The fresh ripe palate is beautifully articulated and balanced with the balance and regional tannins showing potential to age long and well.

Rob Geddes MW

91

Nick Stock (2006 Vintage) says

The very best shiraz to pass through Duval's experienced hands, this has a superb sense of depth and grace, relying on soulful, rich regional depth. Blackberry, black cherry and cassis are all nicely framed in savoury oak and gentle spice -refined and tidy. The palate makes a statement of structure and precision, deep tarry blackberry flavours build to spiced blood plum through the finish. Impressively balanced, beautifully extruded and convincing shiraz.

The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 2009

96

Rob Geddes MW (2006 Vintage) says

Densely structured yet undeveloped on release, this is fresh and ripe with potential to age long and well.

Australian Wine Vintages 2010 2009

94

James Halliday (2006 Vintage) says

Dense but bright colour; has perfectly pitched blackberry, plum fruit and French oak on both the bouquet and medium-to full-bodied palate, with a very long finish. Cork in deference to the export market

Australian Wine Companion 2010 2009

95

James Halliday (2005 Vintage) says

Has great concentration and structure and, above all, length to its panoply of red and black berry fruit; both oak and tannins positive, but nonetheless in a support role.

Australian Wine Companion 2009 2008

96

Nick Stock (2005 Vintage) says

Duval has introduced this elite wine, a selection of the best shiraz he identified from the '05 vintage; it was given an additional spell in the finest French timber. Precise blackberry aromas, some tarry notes, it has eaten up the oak and smells quite elegant. Fruit has been sculpted with experienced hands and delivered in refined shape - plum and dark berry flavours, fine dense tannins, impeccable balance.

Good Australian Wine Guide 2009 2008

96

Rob Geddes MW (2005 Vintage) says

Densely structured yet undeveloped on release, this is fresh and ripe with potential to age long and well.